“I don’t feel like climbing.”
“What?” Creed laughed as if he’d said something insane. “That’s loco, man.”
From across the table, Hawke met Conrad’s gaze, silent understanding passing between them. Hawke got to his feet. “I’ll hit the wall with you, Herrera. Come on.”
Herrera nodded. “Let’s go.”
“He’s not trying to be a jerk,” Kenzie whispered. “He missed you. Every time we all got together, he was the first one to ask about you.”
“We did a lot of good climbing together before …” Conrad didn’t want to think about that. “You looked pretty good in those wedding photos, too, you know. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
Kenzie gave him that sweet smile he loved so much. “Thanks.”
Suddenly, Conrad needed to get her alone. “You ready to go? I’ll get the check.”
Rain put a hand on his arm. “Your money is no good here, Conrad.”
Conrad was touched. “Thanks, Rain, but you don’t have to do that.”
“We came close to losing you, and I’m just so glad to have you back.” Tears filled Rain’s eyes. “Sorry. Postpartum hormones.”
She sniffed, wiped her eyes with her fingertips. “Your dinner is on us. Yours, too, Kenzie. I heard Gizmo saved a couple of lives today.”
“Thanks, Rain.” Kenzie got to her feet and carried Angel back to her mother, carefully placing the baby in Rain’s arms. “Thanks for letting me hold her. She’s absolutely precious.”
Conrad didn’t want to drag out the goodbyes, so he stood and glanced down the length of the table. “See you all around.”
“Take care.”
“See you soon.”
“Thanks for your help today.”
He walked with Kenzie out to the vehicle, his hand resting against the small of her back, his mind fixed on the image of her wearing that bright red dress. “How about we go to your place?”
Her gaze shot to his. “What do you have in mind?”
“Oh, I can think of a few things.”
* * *
What didHarrison mean by that? Board games? Netflix? Conversation?
Kenzie hoped he meant hot, screaming sex.
An image of him fucking her up against the wall darted through her mind. Then again, she’d hiked for an hour or so today and had gotten all sweaty. She needed a shower—and she had responsibilities.
She glanced at her watch. “I need to stop by the kennel and pick up the pups.”
“Right.” Harrison drove the two of them to her house and went with her to the kennel, where April, one of her part-time staff, was getting ready to close up and go home. Kenzie helped settle the dogs for the night, while Harrison played with Gabby, who had come bounding over to him the moment they’d stepped through the door. Then they brought the dogs back to Kenzie’s place.
Harrison carried Gabby in one hand and her crate in another. “I don’t want Gizmo to hurt her.”
“Oh, Gizmo would never do that.” Then Kenzie remembered her lie. “I mean, he wouldn’thurther. He just gets, you know, grumpy with her.”
The day had been colder than she’d anticipated. She left her heat on low all day, so her house was chilly.
“Will Gabby be safe if I put her down?” Harrison asked.
